Folks-- Since NOAA-Fisheries and its decisions have been a hot topic on this board, I thought this release might be of interest, especially for those who like to be part of the solution.

Keith


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 7, 2004

*** NEWS FROM NOAA ***
NATIONAL OCEANIC & ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
WASHINGTON, DC
Release no. NOAA04-R154
Contact: Aja Sae-Kung, NOAA, (202) 482-6090

NOAA Releases National Estuaries Restoration Inventory

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced today the
initiation of the National Estuaries Restoration Inventory that will track
the progress made toward the goals of the Estuary Restoration Act of
2000. The inventory is an online tool to monitor restoration projects
implemented around the country and will serve as a searchable source of
information on restoration results. NOAA is an agency of the U.S.
Department of Commerce.

The Estuary Restoration Act set a goal of restoring one million acres of
estuary habitat - including salt marshes, seagrass beds, oyster reefs and
associated habitats - by the year 2010. The inventory will serve as a
restoration information clearinghouse, providing details on restoration
techniques and monitoring results.

"NOAA's National Estuaries Restoration Inventory will make a huge
difference in the effectiveness of estuarine habitat restoration," said
retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of
commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "The inventory
is thorough, comprehensive, accessible and an overall improvement in
communicating how to improve the effectiveness of our projects."

NOAA encourages project managers to use the inventory to track their
projects, find new partnership opportunities, and locate other regional
restoration efforts to assist in future restoration planning and
design. NERI also provides on-demand reports on specific projects. NERI's
online features will be effective in increasing public awareness and
promoting local participation in restoration projects.

Projects can be submitted to the inventory from federal, state, local and
private sources provided the project goal is to restore ecosystem benefits
to estuaries and associated habitats[MjM1].

The inventory continues to grow through the efforts of various partners and
by building upon existing federal and state tracking efforts. Future
enhancements of the inventory will include an interactive mapping
component, allowing the public to perform project searches and create
customized maps.
The inventory is a product of the NOAA Habitat Restoration Program, which
works to increase the effectiveness and number of coastal habitat
restoration projects. It plans, funds and implements restoration projects,
advances the science underlying coastal habitat restoration and develops
improved restoration technology. The program also transfers restoration
technology and research and monitoring results through extension, outreach
and education efforts. For more information, please visit the Web site at:
http://restoration.noaa.gov.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety
through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events
and providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine
resources. To learn more about NOAA, please visit http://www.noaa.gov.


-

Tried the link, wouldn't work. Must be more of GW's Environmental attack.

Eddie--I couldn't get the program link to work either. Apparently, someone in NOAA can't type accurately.
I tried the NOAA link below the restoration program link, which worked, and then clicked on the restoration headline and then followed the links to the program. You can get there... but it takes work.

Keith